Southern Cross University has launched a new scholarship program in partnership with the CSIRO to support Honours and PhD students to learn skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and solve problems for businesses in implementing circular economy principles.
The AI-Powered Digital Transformation for the Smart Circular Economy Scholarships are available for students to study Southern Cross University's Bachelor of Innovation with Honours or a Doctor of Philosophy.
The scholarships will enable students to work with researchers from both Southern Cross and University of Technology Sydney, as well as industry partners, to conduct a research project addressing an industry-identified problem related to the creation of a smart circular economy.
As part of the program, students will receive advanced training in artificial intelligence technologies through a series of coursework modules on data centric engineering, ethical technology, foundations of deep tech, and advanced AI/emerging technologies.
Speaking on the SCU Buzz podcast, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, Dr Aaron Thornton said the scholarship allows students to learn how to use AI tools and complete an internship with industry partners.
"We have some great challenges that students can tackle and help solve while also preparing for a new career using AI tools in industry," Dr Thornton said.
Two industry partners include fintech business CSENS and circular resource management organisation Revolve Your World.
CSENS is a purpose-driven fintech application using tokenisation to reward sustainable choices, driving circular economic adoption. Students will apply AI to develop tools like 'Envirosocial' impact metrics, ESG reward systems, and real-time sustainability scoring.
Revolve Your World is transforming waste with circular systems that reinvest in people, place, and planet. Students will utilise AI and Machine Learning to develop image recognition capabilities to identify waste stream contamination and waste stream types and develop machine learning and AI to communicate with robotics, allowing improvements in waste stream sorting methodology.
Co-Founder of CSENS, Oliver Robertson, said students have the opportunity to work with their fintech company to enhance engagement in a circular economy.
"It's really about working out how best to optimise AI and metrics to have a real, impactful change in influencing consumer purchasing," Mr Robertson said.
CEO and Founder of Revolve Your World, Luke McConell, said there are many opportunities to apply AI tools to improve sustainability and waste management.
"Machine learning and robotics could allow for greater efficiencies within waste recycling facilities and help recycling be cost competitive to landfill and other methods of waste management," Mr McConell said.
